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    Whip & Wander » Recipes » Uncategorized

    Published: Nov 9, 2020 by Jenni · This post may contain affiliate links.

    French Lentil Soup

    This page may contain affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure policy for details.
    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
    gauzy white fabric under a bowl of French lentil soup with herbs on top
    two white bowl of french lentil soup with rustic bread, resting on a wooden table
    a pot of French Lentil Soup with a hand holding a ladle scooping into the pot
    French lentil soup with le puy lentils, carrots, celery, and fennel in a white bowl
    French soup with lentils, carrots, celery, and fennel in a white bowl resting next to a wooden board of bread

    French Lentil Soup in a white bowl resting on a piece of cheesecloth with a wooden tray of pumpkin sourdough

    French cold-weather magic

    This French Lentil Soup is one of our favorite ways to stay warm and cozy in the chilly fall and winter months. French Le Puy green lentils are slowly simmered with fennel, thyme, tarragon, and bay until fragrant and plump. Put on some relaxing music, tear a loaf of your favorite crusty bread as a side, and maybe open a bottle of wine, if you're so inclined. This soup is simple French cold-weather magic.

    a silver ladle resting in a pot of French Lentil Soup

    What kind of lentils are best to use?

    I prefer to use French green lentils, also known as Le Puy green lentils, for this soup. The lentil is distinguishable by their mottled slate gray/green color, their peppery flavor, and their ability to maintain their shape after cooking. If you are unable to source French Le Puy green lentils, a traditional green or brown lentil will be lovely in this soup as well.

    two white bowls with French Lentil Soup resting on a white cloth, a wooden board of torn bread resting nearby

    a spoon resting in a white bowl of French Lentil Soup with another bowl and some rustic bread resting nearby

    What to serve with this French Lentil Soup

    I love to serve this soup with a side of rustic bread and salted butter. The bread in the images of this post is a pumpkin sourdough with cranberries and pepitas that I hope to share with you soon, but we also love a loaf of classic sourdough, a torn baguette, or a fluffy dinner roll if you prefer.

    a white bowl filled with French Lentil Soup and a spoon a wooden cutting board with torn pieces of pumpkin sourdough resting nearby

    two white bowls of French Lentil Soup resting on a white piece of fabric, torn pieces of rustic bread resting next to the bowls

    What tools do I need to make this recipe?

    • A cutting board
    • A chefs knife
    • A kitchen scale (optional)
    • Measuring cups and measuring spoons
    • A large soup pot
    • A wooden spoon or spatula
    • A ladle

    Are you looking to upgrade to your cooking tools or replenish your pantry? Check out my kitchen tools shop page and pantry staples shop page to find my must-have kitchen tools, pantry items, and other Whip & Wander favorites.

    A note for special diets

    This French Lentil Soup is gluten-free and dairy-free and can easily be made friendly for vegetarian and vegan diets by using vegetable broth in place of the chicken broth.

    a white bowl of French Lentil Soup resting on a gauzy cloth on a wooden surface

    Print
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    French Lentil Soup

    • Author: Whip & Wander
    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 45 minutes
    • Total Time: 55 minutes
    • Yield: 6 servings 1x
    • Category: Soups & Stews
    • Method: Stovetop
    • Cuisine: French
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    Description

    This French Lentil Soup is simple and cozy cold-weather magic. This gluten-free and vegetarian-friendly soup can be ready in 1 hour or less.


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 2 tbsp garlic-infused olive oil - OR - 2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil + 2 cloves minced garlic
    • ½ cup fennel (44g), diced small
    • 2 cups (200g) green onion, thinly chopped
    • 1 ½ cups (192g) carrots, diced small
    • 1 ¼ cup (126g) celery, thinly chopped
    • 8 cups (64oz) chicken broth - OR - vegetable broth (if keeping vegetarian/vegan)
    • 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes (I love this fire-roasted variety, but you can use traditional as well)
    • 1 ¼ cup (225g) French Le Puy green lentils, rinsed, drained, and picked over (may sub for regular green or brown lentils)
    • 1 tbsp fresh fennel leaves
    • 2 tsp dried thyme - OR -  2 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
    • 1 tsp dried tarragon - or 1 tbsp fresh tarragon, chopped
    • 2 dried bay leaves
    • ½ tsp Kosher salt, plus more to taste

    Instructions

    1. In a large saucepan or soup pot over medium-high heat, add the garlic oil (or olive oil + minced garlic) and the fennel and allow to sautee for about a minute. Then add the green onion, carrots, celery, and sautee for 5-6 minutes, or until the fennel, carrots, and celery begin to soften and brown just slightly.
    2. Add the chicken broth (or vegetable broth), diced tomatoes, lentils, fennel leaves, thyme, tarragon, bay leaves, and salt, stirring to combine.
    3. Allow the soup to come to a boil, then reduce heat to medium, stir the soup, and cover. You'll want the soup to maintain a steady simmer after boiling for 35 minutes while covered, so adjust the heat lower if needed.
    4. After 35 minutes, remove the bay leaves and taste for salt. Adjust if needed. The lentils should be nicely tender at this point. Serve warm.

    Notes

    Nutritional information on Whip & Wander is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.


    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 serving
    • Calories: 284
    • Sugar: 6 g
    • Sodium: 484 mg
    • Fat: 6 g
    • Saturated Fat: 1 g
    • Carbohydrates: 32 g
    • Fiber: 10 g
    • Protein: 17 g
    • Cholesterol: 15 mg

    Keywords: French Lentil Soup

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